Northern Ireland plays a pivotal role in saving endangered livestock breeds from extinction

Sorry, we're having problems with our video player at the moment, but are working to fix it as soon as we can

Waiting for Video...

Richard Halleron

Published:10:07Monday 05 September 2016

Share this article

The critically important role being played by local farmers in saving many of our traditional livestock breeds from extinction has been highlighted by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust’s Richard Broad.

“We must save the genetic diversity contained within these animals for future generations,” he said.

Farm Minister Michelle McIlveen with the Beef Junior Champion at this year's RBST Northern Ireland Show and Sale. The animal, a Beef Shorthorn bull, was exhibited on behalf of breeder Duncan McDowell by brothers William (left) and Matthew McLucas, from Muff in Co Donegal

“All of the modern livestock breeds that feature on our farms today have their origins in the bloodlines of the cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry that predominated decades and even centuries ago.

“But the challenges confronting livestock farming today are fast changing. In essence, we now need a farming industry that is wholly sustainable. And it may well be that geneticists will have to depend on the gene pool within the myriad rare breeds now under threat of extinction to source the traits required to make this a reality.”

Broad is the Trust’s regional field officer for South West England, Northern Ireland and Wales. He judged the pig classes at Saturday’s Rare Breeds Survival Trust Northern Ireland show and sale, held in Gosford Forest Park on the outskirts of Armagh.

“Here in Northern Ireland the Trust has been working to secure the future of breeds native to this part of the world, including Irish Moiled and Dexter cattle,” he said.

“But that is only part of the story. The numbers of breeding females within many of traditional UK breeds has dwindled significantly over the last number of years. However, Northern Ireland remains a critically important region for these animals, from a breeding point of view.

“And this has not come about by accident. The Trust is fully aware, for example, of the importance played by agriculture in the province. Critically, this is reflected in all aspects of the policies enacted by the Stormont Executive.

“Moreover, Trust members throughout the UK know that, in the event of a debilitating livestock disease outbreak, the authorities here in Northern Ireland will ensure that everything is done to minimise its impact. As a consequence, the survival chances of the myriad rare breeds that feature on a growing number of farms across the province are that much greater.”

Last Saturday marked the 30th event hosted by Rare Breeds Survival Trust Northern Ireland. The organisation’s chairman Brian Hunter confirmed a very encouraging entry for all the show and sale classes.

“Despite the poor weather we have received tremendous support from breeder and members of the general public,” he said. “And we can’t ask any more than that.”

Meanwhile, out in the show rings Co Down Beef Shorthorn breeder Duncan McDowell, was having a tremendous day out. He won the inter-breed cattle championship with a choice heifer, described by judge Leslie Hood, from Ballymena as a “tremendous breeding animal.”

The pig inter breed title was won by Brian Kelly, from Lurgan, with a 2yo Gloucester Old Spot sow. Richard Broad, who judged the pig classes, described his champion as “an elite breeding female.”

He added:“She would perform well within any modern pig farming set up.”

The sheep inter breed title was won by the Kerr family, from Lurgan, with their eye catching Teeswater ram while the poultry championship was won by Co Tyrone breeder John Devenney with a pair of Toulouse geese.